Pivotally mounted holder for table legs



April l2, 1955 R. w. LUCE ErAL PIvoTALLY MOUNTED HOLDER FOR TABLE LEGS Filed March 7, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l Gttomeg April 12, 1955 R. w. LUCE ETAL 2,706,138

PIvoTALLY MOUNTED HOLDER FoR TABLE LEGS Filed March 7. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gttomeg 2/ 2g /8 April l2, 1955 R. w. LucE ETAL PIvoTALLY MOUNTED HOLDER FOR TABLE LEGS Filed llarch 7. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l (Ittorneg United States Patent C PIV OTALLY MUNTED HOLDER FOR TABLE LEGS Richard W. Luce, Southport, Conn., and Henry O. Engstrom, Bradford, Vt.

Application March 7, 1952, Serial No'. 275,366

2 Claims. (Cl. 311-77) i The invention herein disclosed relates to a table that 1s especially useful when playing cards. More particularly, the invention relates to a card table of the kind in which the legs may be folded against the table top for storing the table.

In general, card tables of the kind mentioned have a square table top of standard size at which four people may be seated. Ordinarily, while playing cards, people drink or smoke or do both, and the glasses and ash trays are placed on the table where they present obstacles in the dealing and playing of the cards.

By the invention herein disclosed, there is provided a compact card table of the kind mentioned which has arrangements for those things that are usually placed on the table, so that the table top is clear for the playing cards. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a card table that is as compact as the ordinary like card table but in which provision is made for holding drinking glasses, and ash trays without obstructing the playing surface. In one particular embodiment of the invention, there is provided holders on each leg, each holder having a glass receiving recess and a removable ash tray. A special arrangement is provided for vmaintaining the legs in both upright and folded positions.

Such an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below, from which description a clear understanding of the invention may be had.

The drawings include:

Fig. l which is an elevation of a card table embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 which is a top plan of the same;

Fig. 3 which is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the table top taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 which is a fragmentary, top plan of the table top;

Fig. 5 which is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of the table top taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 which is a fragmentary, sectional elevation, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, and showing part of a leg in upright position;

Fig. 7 which is a sectional plan of a leg taken on the line7--7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 which is a section of the holder and ash tray taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 which is a fragmentary isometric of one of the table legs;

Fig. 10 which is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of the table top, taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. l;

Fig. l1 which is a fragmentary, sectional elevation of the Vtable top similar to Fig. 6 but showing the leg in the folded position; and

Fig. 12 which isa bottom, plan View of the table with all four legs in folded position.

In general, the particular card table illustrated in the drawing as one particular embodiment of the invention includes a table top A that is substantially square, a card tray B recessed in the table top, and four legs C pivoted to the table top and foldable diagonally thereof to a position substantially parallel thereto.

The table top A is provided with a depending circumambient flange 1 that may be integral therewith or aixed thereto. In the construction shown, the flange is aixed to the edge of the table top such that a flush surface results. At the center of the table top, there is a rectangular opening 2. On the underside of the table top there is secured a frame 3, the edge of which coinice cides with the edges of the opening 2 through the table top.

The card tray B is pivotally mounted in the opening 2 through the table top A. As illustrated, the particular card tray shown is suitable for playing Canasta, it has two card receiving receptacles 4 and 5 with appropriate recesses 6 for placing cards cross-wise and nger recesses 7 by means of which a card may be removed from a tray. The under surface 8 of the tray is flat, and desirably of the same material and design as the upper or playing surface of the table top. The tray is pivoted between its ends on oppositely extending pivots 9 and 10. These pivots extend from the tray midway of the depth or thickness of the tray so that when the tray is being used (Figs. 4 and 5), the edge of the tray is flush with the upper surface of the table top, and when the tray is inverted (Figs. 2, 3 and 1l), the under surface of the tray is flush with the table top. In each position, there is no obstruction.

The card tray is held securely in either position by releasable interengaging means. These include recesses 11 and 12 on each end of the tray and a resiliently pressed detent or rod 13. The rod 13 .extends through and is slidable in the flange 1 and the frame 3. A knob 14 on the end of the rod is normally within a recess 15 in the outer surface of the flange 1 so that the rod does not extend beyond the the flange. The knob 14 also acts as a stop, limiting the inward movement of the rod under the action of a spring 16 that surrounds the rod and acts between the inner surface of the flange 1 and a collet 17 fixed on the rod. At its inner end, the rod extends into either the recess 11 or 12, depending upon the position of the tray, and secures the tray in the desired position. By pulling the rod, through the knob 14, the tray is released so that it may be swung about its pivots.

The supporting legs C are identical in construction and like numerals are applied to like parts. Each leg is shaped as shown, having a tapering narrow lower section 18, and a wider rectangular, upper section 19. An opening 20 is provided in the upper section. Within the opening, at the lower end thereof, there is pivotally mounted, a holder 21. The end 22 of the holder, in the lowered position, extends inwardly beyond the inner surface of the leg a slight amount and is engaged by a leaf spring 23 which maintains the holder in the lowered position, i. e. extending laterally of the leg, against accidental tipping.

The holder includes a recess 24 which is designed to receive and hold a drinking glass such as is indicated in broken lines 25 in Fig. 6, and an ash tray 26. The ash tray 26 is removably mounted on the holder and it is provided with an integral cigarette rest 27. In the particular embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the holder is provided with an inverted T-slot 28 extending from the free end thereof to a point intermediate the ends thereof. A complementary inverted T-shaped projection 29 is formed on the under surface of the ash tray. The ash tray is thus removably secured to the holder. To prevent accidental removable of the ash tray, a bullet catch 30 is provided in the holder, which when the ash tray is in position, engages in a recess in the under surface of the projection 29.

When the table is not in use, the holder 21, with the ash tray thereon, is moved about its pivot and is received in the recess 20. The recess 20 is shaped to receive the holder. When in the recess, the leaf spring 23 engages a flat surface 31 on the holder and maintains the holder in the recess.

The construction is provided with a novel arrangement for retaining the legs in supporting and folded positions. As shown, each leg has a pivot pin 32 adjacent its upper end that extends into adjacent sides of the frame l diagonally of a corner of the frame. The leg is provided, at its upper end with an extension 33 that is slotted longitudinally, the slot extending to the upper end of the recess 20. Within the slot, there is a metal piece 34 having a section 34a extending longitudinally of the leg anda laterally extending section 34b. The metal piece 34 is secured in place by rivets 36 and 37. At its upper end, the section 34a of the metal piece is provided with a tongue 38, and one edge of the section 34b is slightly beveled as at 39.

The sections 34a and 34b of the metal piece 34 cooperate with a leaf spring 40 for holding the legs either in the upright or folded positions. One end of the leaf spring 40 is secured to a block 41 fixed to the under surface of the table top. The spring 40 passes over the upper end of the leg and has a downwardly curved section 42 with a lateral linger piece 43 at the end thereof for manually manipulating the spring. Intermediate the ends of the spring, and between the end secured to the block 41 and the downwardly curved section 42, there is an opening 44. The opening 44 is complementary to the tongue 38 on the end of the section 34a of the metal piece 34. When the leg is in the upright position, the tongue 38 is received in the slot 44 and the leg is rigidly held in place. To release the leg pressure is exerted on the finger piece 43 which moves the spring 40 to release the tongue 38 from the slot 44. The leg may then be moved about the pivot 32 to the folded position, i. e. to a position parallel to the plane of the table top. In this latter position, the end edge of the section 34b of the metal piece 34 engages the leaf spring which retains the leg in the folded position. The legs fold diagonally of the table.

The table may be and desirably is provided with a drawer 45. In the embodiment illustrated, the drawer is slidably mounted in the usual manner, is provided with a bullet catch 46, and finger depression 47. A feature of the drawer is that cards or pads contained therein cannot get caught when the drawer is closed. To this end a block 48 is secured on the under side of the table top and has a surface 49 ush with the upper edge of the drawer.

From the foregoing description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by this invention, there is provided a card table that has several advantages not found in like tables.

lt will be obvious that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art in the details of the embodiment of the invention disclosed above within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A card table of the kind described comprising in combination a table top and supporting legs, each leg being pivotally secured to the table for movement from an upright to a folded position substantially against the table top, and including an upper section at the pivoted end thereof of greater Width than the thickness thereof and having an opening therethrough, a holder pivotally mounted in the opening for movement to a position extending laterally of the leg, the holder having a receptacle for a glass, and resilient means secured to the leg and engaging the holder when in the opening and when positioned laterally of the leg.

2. A card table of the kind described comprising in combination a table top and supporting legs, each leg being pivotally secured to the table for movement from an upright to a folded position substantially against the table top and including a section at the pivoted end thereof of greater width than the thickness thereof and having an opening therethrough, a holder pivotally mounted in the opening for movement from a position within the opening to a position extending laterally of the leg and arranged such that in the laterally extending position the end thereof extends inwardly beyond the inner surface of the leg, the holder having a receptacle for a glass, and a leaf spring secured to the leg and positioned to resiliently engage the holder when in the opening and the end thereof when positioned laterally of the leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 139,805 Morrison June 10, 1873 579,255 Brock Mar. 23, 1897 961,525 Baltzley June 14, 1910 1,203,783 Reischmann Nov. 7, 1916 1,888,009 Moss Nov. 15, 1932 1,916,619 Johnson July 4, 1933 1,959,950 Friedlander May 22, 1934 1,962,575 Silvermann June 12, 1934 2,174,613 Blaschke Oct. 3, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 88,234 Sweden Nov. 5, 1936 174,594 Switzerland Jan. 31, 1935 

